Our pro-life community has been praying for Fr. Tony for many months now, since he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last Lent. This past Tuesday there was a holy hour at St. Therese Church in Munhall for him and the church was PACKED with hundreds of people who were praying for his healing. It was very moving to see how many people have been touched by this humble and courageous priest, who has been a warrior in this battle for life. Unfortunately, Fr. Tony was not able to be there because he suddenly took a turn for the worse on Monday. Up till then he had remained in active ministry, even posting a daily homily on his YouTube page. I will link his homily from this past Sunday HERE. And the final homily that he posted this past Monday (sound only, no video) is linked HERE.
I received an update this morning that Father is suffering so greatly today that he does not think he will make it till Monday, and is asking for prayers to be received into the arms of Jesus and Mary right now, and he is asking specifically for the Rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy to be prayed for both he AND his mother, who is with him. His mom’s name is Dee, and I am imagining this must be so difficult for her to see her son suffering like this. I am thinking of our dear Mother at the foot of the cross. Please offer your prayers and whatever suffering Our Lord sends you today, for them.
Father Tony is a pro-life hero to all of us in Pittsburgh. He refused chemotherapy, which could have prolonged his life, because he learned that the chemo medicine is made using aborted fetal research. Oh, that we could all be as brave and courageous as Fr. Tony! He is an example and a role model for us all to look to. Just as St. Gianna Molla was canonized and is a patron of the pro-life cause because she refused chemo, (which would have killed her unborn baby), and instead, sacrificed her own life so that her child could live…Father Tony stands as an example of true faith and conviction in Jesus Christ…especially in these times and in this city of Pittsburgh, which is known to be the HUB of fetal research at Pitt! We are blessed to look to his example to strengthen our own courage when faced with temptations to avoid suffering when it goes against our convictions. I want to post Father’s reply to an email I sent him last March, expressing my sorrow at his diagnosis. His reply was this:
Thank you so much. I am honored to have this disease because I am entering most deeply into our Savior’s passion. HE is with me as HE is with you. Prayers for you and thank you for the prayers for me. fr tony
Finally, here is a prayer to the Saints whose relics are enshrined in St. Anthony Chapel (where Ft. Tony was pastor for a while). Fr. Orr wrote the prayer. You may want to use this in your prayers for Fr. Tony:
The Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him.
God be with you, Beloved Father Tony.
Our hearts are full of anguish due to your suffering.
Peace.
St. Anthony Chapel has Adoration at 3 PM today (Sunday 12/4) for anyone who would like to pray for Fr. Tony in the presence of our Lord.
Praying for Fr Tony and his mother right now…
The three “beautiful prayers” from the Pieta Prayerbook:
1. Lord Jesus Christ! Thou Son of God and Son of the Virgin Mary, God and Man, Thou Who in fear sweated blood for us on the Mount of Olives in order to bring peace, and to oer Thy Most Holy Death to God Thy Heavenly Father for the salvation of this dying person … If it be, however, that by his sins he merits eternal damnation, then may it be deflected from him. This, O Eternal Father through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Dear Son, Who liveth and reigneth in union with the Holy Spirit now and forever. Amen
2. Lord Jesus Christ! Thou Who meekly died on the trunk of the cross for us, submitting Thy Will completely to Thy Heavenly Father in order to bring peace and to oer Thy most Holy Death to Thy Heavenly Father in order to free… (this person)… and to hide from him what he has earned with his sins; grant this O Eternal Father! Through Our Lord Jesus Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in union with the Holy Spirit now and forever. Amen.
3. Lord Jesus Christ! Thou Who remained silent to speak through the mouths of the Prophets: I have drawn Thee to me through Eternal Love, which Love drew Thee from Heaven into the body of the Virgin, which Love drew Thee from the body of the Virgin into the valley of this needful world, which Love kept Thee 33 years in this world, and as a sign of Great Love, Thou hast given Thy Holy Body as True Food and Thy Holy Blood as True Drink, as a sign of Great Love, Thou has consented to be a Prisoner and to be led from one judge to another and as a sign of Great Love Thou hast consented to be condemned to death, and hast consented to die and to be buried and truly risen, and appeared to Thy Holy Mother and all the Holy Apostles, and as a sign of Great Love Thou hast ascended, under Thy own Strength and Power, and sitteth at the Right Hand of God Thy Heavenly Father, and Thou has sent Thy Holy Spirit into the hearts of Thy Apostles and the hearts of all who hope and believe in Thee. Through Thy Sign of Eternal Love, open Heaven today and take this dying person … and all his sins into the Realm of Thy Heavenly Father, that he may reign with Thee now and forever. Amen.
G-d bless fr tony and dee
One of the finest men I’ve ever had the privilege of meeting. In my humble opinion a modern living Saint. I’m am a better man for having known him.
We need so many more FATHER TONY’s !! I will pray for Father Tony !!
Words can’t express the deep love I have for this brother ! He knows how dependant I am of his prayers literally he has saved my life over and over again ! I owe him everything !! He truly is a Modern Day St. FRANCIS I love you Father! His devotion to Our Lady is fearless
You are so right!!!
We are all praying for you Father. You are a true Saint among us.
I met Father Tony in 2004, he was been my spiritual director and more importantly friend. He gave my mother last rites, married my wife and I, baptized 2 of our 3 children, and was to be a sponsor of my 8th graders confirmation this spring. Jesus working through him has helped me get where I am today.
Our family and I loves you Father Tony, in our prayers,
Skip
Father Tony is the most selfless and loving man that I’ve ever known. He has been helping people for many decades and it’s been a joy to see this.
I pray for Tony and the lives that he has touched. He is what God wants us all to be.
With love,
Mikki Salvetti
Boulder, Colorado
Dear friends,
I have been praying for Fr Tony and have had many people in Erie praying. He is my spiritual director and friend. He is no longer able to respond to texts. Could someone please update his status here for me and i will pass it in to others here?
Fr Tony is so loved by so very many. I am so happy to see so many people praying for him.
May God peacefully receive Fr Tony into His arms and may God bless all of you.
In Christ,
Jaci (Erie)
Thank you Fr. Tony for blessing me as your friend for the last 15 years. I pray for your
Mom, so sad to lose a child. My prayers to you will be forever. I love you very much.
Thank you Fr. Tony for being a part of my life and always bringing me closer to Jesus. I pray for a miracle, but I also pray for peace and respite from suffering for you and your Mom. I love you, we love you and we are so very blessed to have had you in our lives. God’s blessings to you.
Just learned that Father Tony passed away late Saturday night! Let’s all offer prayers for him and in Thanksgiving to God for blessing our lives with Father Tony!
What a joyous blessing to have Father Tony be taken home on Gaudete Sunday!
May God Bless your soul my Friend!
Today @ Mass I was so sad to hear of Fr Tony’s passing, gone way too soon. I had no idea of his cancer. We were so lucky to have him as our pastor @ St Edward’s in Blawnox.
Thank you God for all your “mystical” attempts to bring your young Tony to the priesthood.
May Father Tony Rest In Peace. and let his memory live on. i worked for him at Christ Our Savior Parish. He will always have an everlasting mark on my life. And is truly one of the greatest humans beings to bless my life may he rest in peace.
Joshua Dey